SUBMITTING CONTEST ENTRIES:
All contest entries must be submitted via our online system of submission and voting. The submission period will close at midnight the second Saturday prior to the monthly meeting date. The voting period will start 24 hours later at midnight on Sunday and will run for six days, closing at midnight the Saturday prior to the meeting. You are allowed two votes per category.
Please prepare your images as follows:
- Resize your images to 1400 pixels on the long side.
- Images should be submitted in JPEG format.
- Color space should be sRGB.
- Pixels per inch (or dpi) should be 144 OR keep your file size to 1MB or less
- Rename your image file to include your photo title, month and category. Do not use any spaces or special characters (@, &, ‘, /, ?, !, etc.) in the file name, only dashes or underscores. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME. For Example: Photo Title: What’s That Thing! File Name: WhatsThatThing-JuneMastr.jpg
Please upload your video entries to Vimeo, following the instructions below.
To submit your entry(s) go to https://sfups.org/contests/enter-and-vote/ or the “Enter and Vote” drop down under the “Contests” tab. You must be logged in with your email and password. Complete instructions may be found HERE.
RULES:
- Photos must be taken underwater by the entrant. No aquarium or pool shots. Photographers may submit images originally taken with any medium. All images must be submitted digitally. Images derived from original film or digital files will be judged on an equal basis.
- Photos/videos of captive and domesticated animals are not permitted in any SFUPS contests. Photos or videos captured in pools or other artificial bodies of water are also not permitted unless stated in a specific month’s contest. Animals in distress or under manipulation should never be submitted.
- Each month the photo contest is divided into two categories – Masters and Challengers. Each member may enter a maximum of TWO images TOTAL per month – either one in each category or two in a single category – NOT two in both categories. The Masters category is intended to be more difficult than the Challengers category, and the winning images are awarded 1.5 times the points.
- The member that accumulates the most points in the monthly contests throughout the year is awarded the title of “Photographer of the Year” at our annual Holiday Party in December. Once a member has won the title of “Photographer of the Year” they may not compete for it again. They may still compete against the other previous winners for the title of “Master of the Year.”
- Whereas previous winners of “Photographer of the Year” were historically only allowed to compete in one category each month, they may now enter two images total in BOTH or EITHER of the categories. They will receive 1.5 times the points in the more difficult Masters category like every other member. Previous winners will be scored independently of the remainder of the entrants and at least three places are guaranteed to be awarded from amongst them each month – published separately from the places awarded to the remainder of the membership.
- Each member is also permitted to enter TWO video submissions IN ADDITION to two photos submissions.
- Images must adhere to the monthly subject matter. Some subjects are more open to interpretation, while others are very specific. Consult your I.D. books or photographer friends if you are unsure. For example, make sure you are not entering a filefish photo in a triggerfish category. Images that do not adhere to the subject matter may be disqualified at the time of judging.
- Persons with winning or placing images agree to allow SFUPS to publish their images in the next month’s newsletter, on the SFUPS website, on SFUPS managed social media, and in the annual Holiday Party digital presentation. All copyrights remain with the photographer.
- Once an image or video has placed in a monthly contest, please DO NOT enter that image or video in future competitions. Entries that have already placed will be rejected.
- Throughout the year, we also have special on-the-day contests during our club dive trips, judged by board members or guest judges who are expert in the subject.
In addition, we are planning to hold quarterly “Just for Fun” contests for beginners. Check the website for announcements and details to follow.
DIGITAL FILES:
Authenticity of Images: All submitted images must be the original work of the photographer. This includes maintaining the integrity of the subject and the scene as it was photographed. Minor adjustments such as color adjustments, minor cropping, backscatter removal, and sharpening are permissible.
Prohibition of Advanced AI and Photoshop Features: Images should represent reality. The use of advanced AI features, such as image extension, generating new elements, generating entire images, or significantly altering the content of the image, is strictly prohibited. Similarly, extensive manipulations (via Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz, etc.) that significantly alter the image are not allowed. Removing or adding items to the image is prohibited.
No Composite Images: Composite images, whether generated in-camera or through post-processing, are not permitted. This ensures that all photographs represent a single moment in time and scene.
Verification Process: In cases where the authenticity of an image is questioned, the board reserves the right to request the original or raw file of the image for verification. This is similar to practices in journalism competitions.
Honor System and Penalties: Submissions are accepted on an honor system. However, if a participant is found to be using prohibited technology or techniques, they may be disqualified and potentially barred from future contests, subject to board review.
JUDGING:
Entries will now be judged by a combination of online voting by club members and the opinions of a guest judge.
- Club members are allowed up to two votes per category and may not vote for their own image. Only one vote per entry is permitted. If you wish to vote twice in a category, you must pick two different entries.
- The guest judge will score each entry based on three criteria: adherence to the contest criteria, artistry, and technical merit. These scores for these three criteria will be totaled to give a final judge’s score. The membership voting totals and guest judge scores will be combined and averaged to give a final combined score. The guest judge will offer feedback in private for at least five of their favorite entries in each category.
- First Place = 7 votes
- Second Place = 6 votes
- Third Place = 5 votes
- Fourth Place = 4 votes
- Fifth Place = 3 votes
POINTS:
After the membership and guest judge votes have been totaled, points will be awarded to the winning entries. These points will count towards the annual SFUPS Photographer of the Year, Master of the Year, Videographer of the Year, and runners up. Awards will be presented at the annual Holiday Party. When participation in a contest is 10 entries or more, 5 places will be awarded. When participation is less than 10 entries, three places will be awarded. Points will be awarded as follows:
Masters Photo Category
- First Place = 7.5 points
- Second Place = 6 points
- Third Place = 4.5 points
- Fourth Place = 3 points
- Fifth Place = 1.5 points
Challengers Photo Category
- First Place = 5 points
- Second Place = 4 points
- Third Place = 3 points
- Fourth Place = 2 points
- Fifth Place = 1 point
Video Category
- First Place = 5 points
- Second Place = 4 points
- Third Place = 3 points
- Fourth Place = 2 points
- Fifth Place = 1 point
AWARDS:
- The title of “SFUPS Photographer of the Year” will be awarded to the member that accumulates the most points in the monthly contests throughout the year. Previous winners of this title are not eligible to compete for it again. Winners will be considered a “Master” in future intra-club contests. Runner-up awards may also be given at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- Prior winners of the “SFUPS Photographer of the Year” award (Masters) can compete for the title of “Master of the Year.” This title will be awarded to any existing “Photographer of the Year” that accumulates the most points in the monthly contests throughout the year. Runner-up awards may also be given at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- The title of “Videographer of the Year” will be awarded to the videographer that accumulates the most points throughout the year. Runner-up awards may also be given at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- Each winner will receive a trophy. Other prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the board and may include trips, gear, or memberships.
If you have any questions about our contests, please contact contests@sfups.org